All is set for the three-day Qatar Custom Show (QCS) at the Qatar Racing Club (QRC) tomorrow (January 14).
The show offers a platform for people who own uniquely customised cars and motorbikes to showcase their designs and vie for awards.
The show will be held from 3pm-10pm each day.
It will have soft opening on the first day for visitors to view the cars and bikes.
The second day will see the main event, where the judges will announce the winners, and the trophies given away.
The third day is specified for the competition to award the best photo taken at the show.
This year, the show includes a “Thank You Kuwait” motorcycle parade in recognition of the efforts put in by Kuwait to end the blockade of Qatar.
This was shared by Khalid al-Hammadi, founder and organiser of the QCS, while talking to *Gulf Times.
“We as organisers are really thankful to HE Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad al-Thani, president of the QRC, for hosting the show for the first time since we started it in 2013,” he said. “Previously we have organised the show at Aspire, Sheraton Park, and Katara.
“This year I think we have come to our home – the QRC. I am also thankful to our sponsoring companies for making the show possible.”
Al-Hammadi is a customised cars and bikes enthusiast, who started the show to appreciate the art and the hobby in Qatar, besides bringing like-minded people together.
“So far we have 110 cars and 80 bikes. The numbers have increased despite the pandemic and people from other GCC states not being able to come,” he said. “It is a very popular show, with people making special projects for it.
“Car or bike builders work a whole year on their projects to take part in the show.”
To get the new and unique ideas, the builders often buy toy cars.
“They select a toy car and make it their project. They then buy a similar car, and get it customised.
“Most of the customisation takes place in Qatar … sometimes they do get it done abroad. They shape their car or bike the way they want,” al-Hammadi said. “The current trend is for customised cars, though more and more people are getting interested in customising trucks.”
The judges for the QCS are all car builders and have vast experience and knowledge of customisation.
“The judges have to be builders themselves. They should be the winners of previous shows. They are experts and have the knowledge.”
The organisers will hold the “Thank You Kuwait” motorbike parade on January 15.
“We will move from Qatar Sports Club at 2pm on Friday. The bikers will pass through the Corniche and Airport Road, before they end their ride at the QRC,” said parade organiser Ghanim al-Naeemi.